They will be taking the south end of the old Uptown Theater at 1212 N. Hudson.

It has been previously announced that a law firm will take the north end. Like the law firm, the space for Elk Valley will be expanded to the east with new construction.

Article from the Oklahoman:

http://newsok.com/brewery-on-tap-for-midtown-oklahoma-city-development/article/5541696

Elk Valley just closed for good.

Announced on Twitter

They will still brew beer, just no taproom.

Not sure if they'll continue to brew at the same spot or move to a new facility and let another brewery take their existing setup. Seems like an expensive space when you could just go brew out of a warehouse somewhere.

From Facebook:


We've not only come to the end of 2022, but we've also come to the end of an era with our taproom location at 1210 N. Hudson. When the doors closed at 9pm tonight, the key was turned and the Closed sign was flipped for the last time.

Elk Valley will still be on your favorite shelves and we are happy to keep that going. I want to thank you all for your support through the years. I love all of you and I am thankful for many of the friends I've made during this journey.
John Elkins III, Owner & Brewmaster

Yeah, that's the silver lining, still distributing beer. Would be great if another brewery takes that space.

This closure happens within weeks of construction starting on the office building immediately to the south, which will block the view from their rooftop patio.

This closure happens within weeks of construction starting on the office building immediately to the south, which will block the view from their rooftop patio.

And took away parking ...

And took away parking ...

I love their beers but the taproom experience left a little to be desired. Are they still producing, especially Tenkiller and Firefly? Those brews are tasty!

I love their beers but the taproom experience left a little to be desired. Are they still producing, especially Tenkiller and Firefly? Those brews are tasty!

I believe that John is contract brewing somewhere, that or he sold a couple of recipes. Still should see a couple of core beers in distro moving forward.

John is a brilliant brewer, but they really didn't focus on the tap room as much and it showed. They got a lot of business due to the parking lot being at a streetcar stop, a lot of brewery hopping, once that went away, it was the nail in the coffin.

I just don't understand why there are no restaurants in any of these breweries. It is a wasted opportunity. Especially since you can incorporate beer into the menu. I'm sure there are some outdated laws causing this, but it just feels like a missed opportunity.

^

Twisted Spike has tried several operators and the first two went out. Looks like they now host Barley & Bees: https://www.barleyandbees.com/

Fair Weather Friend makes pizzas and a few other things.


Most taprooms are not open for lunch and not many places can make it with dinner-only hours.

I think Prairie Ales has a really nice setup with the adjoining Vietnamese place.

I just don't understand why there are no restaurants in any of these breweries. It is a wasted opportunity. Especially since you can incorporate beer into the menu. I'm sure there are some outdated laws causing this, but it just feels like a missed opportunity.

Cross Cannons Brewery is a veteran owned establishment in Norman serving hot food and cold beers both.

For sure check out the tap rooms on Main street in Norman. A lot of them work with the local restaurants around and have it delivered for free. At BIG they have a little QR code to order NashBirds next door and it comes right over. I like the idea of these small places working together. Great food options.

me and a group of friends brewery hop every other Saturday. we had started skipping Elk Valley even though many enjoyed their mead. They seemed to have problems keeping good staff that were friendly.
on the food front especially weekends many have food trucks and don't sleep on the pizza at fair weather friends. We all love the pizza!

the taproom experience left a little to be desired.!

it was bad from basically day 1

I never liked the vibe of the tap room and the beers weren't good enough to make me want to stay...rooftop patio was brutal in the summertime too.

And took away parking ...

I would assume a brewery would be the last type of business that would require a large parking lot for its customers just to stay in business. Or at least I would hope...

I would assume a brewery would be the last type of business that would require a large parking lot for its customers just to stay in business. Or at least I would hope...

how do you think most people in OKC get EVERYWHERE ??

how do you think most people in OKC get EVERYWHERE ??

It's a brewery...

It's a brewery...

I take your point and yes, ideally people are using Uber or a sober driver. I never had any trouble with street parking there, plus the street car stop is right there. Their canned beers like Head Pains and Magic Juice are fantastic and I always got great service at the bar counter, friendly chatty folks.
Unlike, say, Ned's Starlite Lounge.😂

It's a brewery...

and?

and?

And what?

I would assume a brewery would be the last type of business that would require a large parking lot for its customers just to stay in business. Or at least I would hope...

Craft beer breweries have taprooms. Going to the taproom, you get access to beers that have just been released and are unavailable anywhere else.

Craft beer breweries have taprooms. Going to the taproom, you get access to beers that have just been released and are unavailable anywhere else.

That has been my experience as well.

Elk Valley has been teasing a return according to their Facebook posts today. I don't know in what form that's going to take place, but they said to follow their Instagram for further updates.

Something called the Goose Deli is taking this spot.

Goose Deli is taking the space fronting Hudson and the 2nd level patio and Blocworks -- a climbing gym with a location in downtown Edmond -- is taking the area formerly used for brewing.

https://www.climbblocworks.com/

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/blocworks060324a.jpg

It will be fantastic for Midtown to have a climbing gym - any idea on when this would open?

Do we know who is behind Goose Deli? I'd love to learn that it's a group with a proven track record.

Do we know who is behind Goose Deli? I'd love to learn that it's a group with a proven track record.

Joel Irby of Stonecloud Brewery is involved.

goosedeli.com (https://www.goosedeli.com/) Fun interactive site up for the Deli.

Goose Deli will be run by the guys at Stonecloud Brewery.

I haven't seen a menu but they will focus on sandwiches inspired by a Denver sandwich shop.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goose072124a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goose072124b.jpg

Went Friday for the Soft Open. I thought it was a solid first showing for them. A few things needed a bit of work, but for the most part, this will be a place I will often go back to. We tried a little bit of everything, including the new Wells Pale Lager. My favorite was The Goose, which was an Italian-style sandwich.

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Went Friday for the Soft Open. I thought it was a solid first showing for them. A few things needed a bit of work, but for the most part, this will be a place I will often go back to. We tried a little bit of everything, including the new Wells Pale Lager. My favorite was The Goose, which was an Italian-style sandwich.

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Looks great. HOpe to hit up this weekend.

I got the goose sandwich. INgredients were good, little too much on the bread, wish it came with some mayo-like spread of sorts that wasn't mayo, or included some other flavor. Also learned it'll be on the other side of a climbing gym coming up. I'll probably be back.

I got the goose sandwich. INgredients were good, little too much on the bread, wish it came with some mayo-like spread of sorts that wasn't mayo, or included some other flavor. Also learned it'll be on the other side of a climbing gym coming up. I'll probably be back.

I do agree they need a little more options for spread or dressings. Did you try any sides? That Climbing gym is such a great idea for this area. Really adds a ton of value to Midtown.

Bit off topic but its the right thread for it. Does anyone know if pictures can be found online of the original Uptown Theatre that was here before, specifically the interior? Have been trying and no luck, figured I'd ask here.

I do agree they need a little more options for spread or dressings. Did you try any sides? That Climbing gym is such a great idea for this area. Really adds a ton of value to Midtown.


I got the chips. Not too salty, and seemingly made in house but not straight from the frier.

Thought about checking it out yesterday. It was packed and there was really no street parking anywhere near it, so I passed. The lack of parking is probably going to be a challenge they'll have to deal with. Especially if local property owners with empty surface lots start charging as the area grows.

Thought about checking it out yesterday. It was packed and there was really no street parking anywhere near it, so I passed. The lack of parking is probably going to be a challenge they'll have to deal with. Especially if local property owners with empty surface lots start charging as the area grows.

OKC is also planning to start charging for all on street parking in midtown as well ..

OKC is also planning to start charging for all on street parking in midtown as well ..

Link?

I don't mind that at all. I think a lot of these parking places are taken by employees of businesses whose owners are too cheap to provide their employees with parking options as well as residents whose homes do the same--should free lots of parking up for short-time visitors.

Midtown is the wild-west of parking in OKC. For some reason the area is littered with dirt and gravel lots that seemingly are okay to park on despite it being against city code.

People are already parking in the gravel where City Garten once stood/still is standing. Now people are using the gravel lot that was for construction staging for the office building next to Goose Deli.

The girlfriend and I went to The Goose prior to the Thunder game last night. It was our first time there.

We easily found a parking space on the street, which was nice. There were 4 or 5 patrons at the bar and about 15 people eating in the front dining room, so it was a good-sized crowd.

We reviewed the menu and went to the counter to order. I chose The Hummy Cucumby and she the Turkey Bacon sandwich. We split an order of housemade potato chips and our drinks were an 8-ounce bottle of Diet Coke and a water.

The food arrived promptly. The Hummy Cucumby is a vegan sandwich with red peppers, olive and cucumber salad, tomatoes, lettuce, with hummus as the spread. It seemed very fresh but the bread became soggy from the amount of water on the veggies. It also needed salt and pepper, even with the saltiness of the olives. Some feta cheese would have been a nice touch. Regardless, I easily ate the whole thing.

She enjoyed her sandwich as well but only finished half because she eats like a bird. I had a bite and it was tasty and the bacon was cooked perfectly. The chips were nicely done, crispy and salty, and we easily consumed the shared order.

The downside to me is what so many people are criticizing. Our tab for 2 sandwiches and basically a 1/2 a Diet Coke with no refills was $35. The credit card machine showed the options for tips as 20%, 22%, 25%, and "custom," I believe. Rather than hitting the "custom" tab and taking additional time, I hit the 20% button, which brought our check total to over $42. Again, for 2 rather small sandwiches, 1 order of chips, and a small Diet Coke. There are much better options for that price in Midtown and elsewhere in Oklahoma City.

It also seemed odd that a vegan sandwich like I ordered is the same price as every other sandwich, including ones with corned beef and cold cuts, and even the hot sandwiches with meatballs, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, or the burger.

With apologies to the proprietors, we won't be returning, or if we do, we won't eat. The prices were high for the product served and being asked to tip 20-25% for counter service was pretty audacious, in my opinion.

Surprisingly the best thing I've had there was also one of their cheapest items - the Oklahoma double smashburger for $9. I don't drink soda, so adding chips and a water for a total of $15 after tax/tip is pretty reasonable.

Deli sandwiches for above $10 are hard to justify.

The girlfriend and I went to The Goose prior to the Thunder game last night. It was our first time there.

We easily found a parking space on the street, which was nice. There were 4 or 5 patrons at the bar and about 15 people eating in the front dining room, so it was a good-sized crowd.

We reviewed the menu and went to the counter to order. I chose The Hummy Cucumby and she the Turkey Bacon sandwich. We split an order of housemade potato chips and our drinks were an 8-ounce bottle of Diet Coke and a water.

The food arrived promptly. The Hummy Cucumby is a vegan sandwich with red peppers, olive and cucumber salad, tomatoes, lettuce, with hummus as the spread. It seemed very fresh but the bread became soggy from the amount of water on the veggies. It also needed salt and pepper, even with the saltiness of the olives. Some feta cheese would have been a nice touch. Regardless, I easily ate the whole thing.

She enjoyed her sandwich as well but only finished half because she eats like a bird. I had a bite and it was tasty and the bacon was cooked perfectly. The chips were nicely done, crispy and salty, and we easily consumed the shared order.

The downside to me is what so many people are criticizing. Our tab for 2 sandwiches and basically a 1/2 a Diet Coke with no refills was $35. The credit card machine showed the options for tips as 20%, 22%, 25%, and "custom," I believe. Rather than hitting the "custom" tab and taking additional time, I hit the 20% button, which brought our check total to over $42. Again, for 2 rather small sandwiches, 1 order of chips, and a small Diet Coke. There are much better options for that price in Midtown and elsewhere in Oklahoma City.

It also seemed odd that a vegan sandwich like I ordered is the same price as every other sandwich, including ones with corned beef and cold cuts, and even the hot sandwiches with meatballs, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, or the burger.

With apologies to the proprietors, we won't be returning, or if we do, we won't eat. The prices were high for the product served and being asked to tip 20-25% for counter service was pretty audacious, in my opinion.



people want to complain about lack of options or local places closing down, but then don't want to support them when it really comes to it. the goose isn't a chain where they buy frozen stuff that gets shipped in and keeps costs down... the bread is locally baked bread they get delivered fresh every day. the hummus on the hummy cucumby is house-made. the chips are house-made. etc etc

also nearly every local place has the tip options for "counter-service" (literally every single coffee shop in town). you can always skip the tip? don't choose to tip then complain about tipping!

people want to complain about lack of options or local places closing down, but then don't want to support them when it really comes to it. the goose isn't a chain where they buy frozen stuff that gets shipped in and keeps costs down... the bread is locally baked bread they get delivered fresh every day. the hummus on the hummy cucumby is house-made. the chips are house-made. etc etc

also nearly every local place has the tip options for "counter-service" (literally every single coffee shop in town). you can always skip the tip? don't choose to tip then complain about tipping!

No one needs to pay high prices for small portions of mediocre food to prove they support local businesses. Local made or fresh made doesn't automatically make it better or worth more. I can hand make peanut butter and make my own bread, but no one will pay me $20 for a pbj sandwich if it isn't exceptional.

No one needs to give big tips for no or for substandard service just because it is mom and pop.

No one needs to pay high prices for small portions of mediocre food to prove they support local businesses. Local made or fresh made doesn't automatically make it better or worth more. I can hand make peanut butter and make my own bread, but no one will pay me $20 for a pbj sandwich if it isn't exceptional.

No one needs to give big tips for no or for substandard service just because it is mom and pop.

Agreed. I haven't been there yet but just looked at their website. Would love to know more about them like where are they getting their bread from locally? That sounds interesting and might be something to push or showoff. Usually people put up an "About" link on their site so ppl can know more about them.

The restaurant business is rough, especially now. Hope they do well.

people want to complain about lack of options or local places closing down, but then don't want to support them when it really comes to it. the goose isn't a chain where they buy frozen stuff that gets shipped in and keeps costs down... the bread is locally baked bread they get delivered fresh every day. the hummus on the hummy cucumby is house-made. the chips are house-made. etc etc

also nearly every local place has the tip options for "counter-service" (literally every single coffee shop in town). you can always skip the tip? don't choose to tip then complain about tipping!What a dumb comment about tipping. :rolleyes:

And don't include me as one of those people complaining about a lack of local options. I think "Support Local" is a GREAT idea, as long as the food and prices are somewhat competitive. I'm also smart enough to realize that many of the chain restaurants that people rail against are actually owned by local people, such as Taco Casa, many of the McDonald's and Domino's locations, etc.

$35 for two average-sized sandwiches, an order of chips, and a 8 oz. Diet Coke is apocryphal. Like I said, I won't be back, at least not to eat. Their 2nd floor patio looks great and I can see drinking a couple beers up there come spring, but I will eat elsewhere. AND, I will tip accordingly based on the level of service provided, but it won't be 20% if I simply stand at a counter, order it myself, and a guy hands it across the bar to me.

also nearly every local place has the tip options for "counter-service" (literally every single coffee shop in town). you can always skip the tip? don't choose to tip then complain about tipping!

It sounds like you don’t really understand customer service. You’re probably going to blame your business’ failure on customers and not your own choices. Restaurants are low margin businesses. These pages are full of openings and closings of businesses which charged high prices for mediocre food. When I eat lunch out these days, I mostly go to places with <$10 sandwiches.

And I’ll echo that full service level tips for counter service are ridiculous. Some of these POS systems are set at 20% minimum. Pay your own employees.

:iagree::yeahthat::iagree::yeahthat::iagree::yeaht hat::iagree::yeahthat::iagree:

My New Years resolution is to no longer tip for counter service especially places that pay a living wage. If there is a Waiter or Bartender that works off of tips they are getting a nice tip. If you are just taking my order and there is no service to my table, sorry there will be no tip. I do not care if it is local or a chain. This is how I feel.

My New Years resolution is to no longer tip for counter service especially places that pay a living wage. If there is a Waiter or Bartender that works off of tips they are getting a nice tip. If you are just taking my order and there is no service to my table, sorry there will be no tip. I do not care if it is local or a chain. This is how I feel.

If it's counter service, even if there is someone bringing the food to my table, what am I even tipping for? Does someone really deserve 20% of the meal price for transporting a tray from one end of the room to the other?

I am really put off any time they ask for tips with counter service. I have no way of knowing if the employee makes $2.13/hr plus tips for sitting there and typing in my order on a computer and giving me a number. I hate to feel like a cheapskate, but I also don't like to feel like a sucker.

Tips should be allowed for extraoridnary service in these sorts of situations. I'm on board with your New Year's Resolution too. Sounds great. I'm pretty sure if you go to The Goose though, based on the vibe I'm getting for ownership, the attitude they have would be that if you can't afford a 20% tip, you can't afford to eat there.

What's ridiculous about counter-service tipping is the workers are doing the exact same thing as someone in a fast-food restaurant. And sometimes even less when you order on a mobile app for pickup. So why tip at this sort of place when long ago our culture decided it wasn't warranted at McDonald's?

Also, in no other gratuity-worthy situation do you tip *before* any service is rendered. Tipping is supposed to be a reward for good service, so why on earth are you being prompted to give money (often while the employee is standing right there) when nothing has been done?


I find the whole thing a bastardization of the entire purpose of tipping. Charge a fair price where you can pay your employees properly instead of shifting this very awkward and inappropriate transaction to the paying customer.

I actively avoid businesses with this in place and I wish more would do the same so otherwise good operations would cease this illogical practice.

I always tip in these situations (I assume the employees are not being paid fairly), and then I end up resenting the hell out of the business and usually not returning.

One more thing on this subject...

Eating out has become very expensive. Most people look at a menu online in advance and when you do, you pretty much know what the cost will be. Eat at a sit-down restaurant and you know in advance that you are going to be including at least 20% for a tip, which is not insignificant.

But going to someplace like Five Guys, you are suddenly hit with this surcharge that you didn't expect to pay. (Don't know if Five Guys does the 'swivel and choose tip while the server looks at you' but it is a typical counter-service place.) I've never seen any advance indication of a gratuity prompt until you've already placed your order.

At least you know when you are next making a dining choice.

McDonald's pays their people ~$15+/hour.

Five Guy's does an automatic surcharge?? Wow. haven't eaten there in several years since I gave up beef.

____

All that said, I'm sorry all of this complaining about tips for counter service is making the owners of this restaurant out to be terrible. My comments are not only directed at The Goose. This is a very common trend in the restaurant industry. I'd venture to say that more are doing this crap than aren't.

Hopefully, they hear the feedback that no one wants this awkward interaction with the cashier at the counter. I'm sure the cashier would rather have a stable paycheck than to feel like a glorified panhandler too.

I work in the area and I will go in and give it a try. I'd recommend that at least--we all should support local businesses.

But if my experience is like everyone else here is describing, it'll probably only be the one time I venture in. Sorry.

Five Guy's does an automatic surcharge?? Wow. haven't eaten there in several years since I gave up beef.

I don't know if they do or do not; was just using them as an example of a counter-service place.

honestly all these responses are a huge bummer to me. even if someone is making higher than minimum wage, it is still likely not a "living wage." a couple bucks per customer makes a HUGE difference to them. if i can afford to eat out, i can afford to tip where i don't HAVE to, and as someone who worked in customer service for literal years, i will always choose to tip. even for counter-service.

honestly all these responses are a huge bummer to me. even if someone is making higher than minimum wage, it is still likely not a "living wage." a couple bucks per customer makes a HUGE difference to them. if i can afford to eat out, i can afford to tip where i don't HAVE to, and as someone who worked in customer service for literal years, i will always choose to tip. even for counter-service.

But almost everyone works in customer service in one way or another; the U.S. is a service-based economy after all.

Do you tip your Amazon delivery driver? Your mailman? How about the checker at a grocery store or Target? The person that hands you your dry-cleaning? Someone at a retail store? The person who answers your call? The receptionist at your doctor's office? Most of these people don't make much more than minimum wage.

Heck, tipping someone at Braum's would make more sense than a typical counter-service restaurant. That person takes your order, often makes your food while you are waiting, asks all types of questions and customizes your order and THEN rings you up.

As a society, we decided very long ago that when you sit down and are waited on, that is a service that should be tipped, assuming they do a good job. We also decided that when a customer stands in line and gets help from someone behind a counter, that is not worthy of a gratuity. There are thousands of these professions outside of restaurants.

Honestly, the one and only reason counter-service restaurants have implemented this practice is they have these new point-of-sale devices that allow them to prompt the customer for a tip. You almost never saw a tip line on a credit card slip you were asked to sign. But now there is the new swivel tablet or a screen facing the customer, so it's just been added in although absolutely zero has changed otherwise.

Sorry, tipping prior to receiving any service beyond ringing up my order is a bridge too far...it's extremely tasteless to do it right there and I know people that are afraid the food or service will suffer if they don't.

I felt the prices we were charged at The Goose were high even before the tip. I doubt I would have been back regardless of the additional 20%.

But let's say I worked across the street and had the potential of being a regular at the joint, and decided that I wasn't going to tip for counter service. Does anyone think that doing so would NOT affect the service I received on future visits? If so, I have a bridge in New York City I'd like to sell you.